Habitat for Humanity South Puget Sound

What Habitat for Humanity South Puget Sound does

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Jerry and Cindy Shultz to develop affordable housing in Thurston County, Washington. The organization operates through three core programs: a Homeownership Program that builds affordable homes for families earning 30-80% of area median income who contribute sweat equity and pay affordable mortgages; a Critical Home Repair Program that addresses health, safety, and aging-in-place repairs for existing homeowners (with seniors representing roughly 70% of recipients); and two Habitat Stores in Olympia and Yelm that sell donated furniture, building materials, and home goods to generate mission revenue.

The organization's revenue model blends donations (individual giving, planned giving via Builders Circle, car donations), foundation and government grants (including a Cowlitz Indian Tribe $100,000 Neighborhood Sponsorship and a portion of MacKenzie Scott's 2022 $436M unrestricted gift to Habitat affiliates), corporate sponsorships (Peak Credit Union as Premier Sponsor for Women Build, OlyFed presenting sponsor of the Habitat Gala), retail proceeds, and homebuyer payments. Since 1989 the organization has built 83 homes housing 134 adults and 112 children, and now operates a four-year pipeline targeting 148 additional homes across the Tâlíčn development in Tumwater, the Boulevard Road project in Olympia, Mill Crossing, and a Yelm parcel.

Technically, units are built to the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard, which codifies health, durability, sustainability, environmental protection, and energy and water efficiency criteria, and the Yelm Habitat Store has a PSE Solar Grant-funded rooftop solar installation. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: volunteer-powered construction supported by signature events (Habitat Gala, Women Build, Veterans Build, Pride Build) and direct application channels for the Homeownership and Critical Home Repair programs. The organization is governed by an independent Board of Directors, is affiliated with (but not controlled by) Habitat for Humanity International, and is based at 910 5th Avenue, Olympia, WA.

Name

Habitat for Humanity South Puget Sound

Legal name

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity

Website

https://spshabitat.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Habitat for Humanity South Puget Sound is a Thurston County, Washington 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds affordable homes for low-income families, delivers critical home repairs (largely to seniors), and operates two retail Habitat Stores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing

NAICS

New Housing For-Sale Builders (236117)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Residential Green / High-Performance Home Construction (Net-Zero, Passive House) (IMAFABAH)

Keywords

• Affordable housing development
• Nonprofit homebuilding
• Critical home repair
• Volunteer construction programs
• Thrift retail home goods

Headquarters

HQ city

Olympia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donors contribute to the organization through various giving programs including the Builders Circle planned giving program, car donations, and general donations. The organization received a transformational $15M gift as part of the $436M MacKenzie Scott donation to Habitat affiliates.
2. Habitat Store Retail Sales: The organization operates two Habitat Store locations in Olympia and Yelm that sell donated furniture, building materials, and home goods. Proceeds support the affordable housing mission.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual events including the Habitat Gala and Women Build event generate significant contributions. The 2025 Habitat Gala raised over $200,000 for affordable homeownership programs.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partners sponsor events and programs, with Peak Credit Union serving as Premier Sponsor for Women Build and OlyFed as presenting sponsor for the Habitat Gala.
5. Homeownership Program: Families purchase homes at affordable prices, with the organization using grant funds to subsidize development and sale costs. Homebuyers make minimal down payments and pay affordable mortgages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity builds affordable housing for very-low income families in Thurston County through volunteer-powered new home construction and sweat-equity partnerships, where partner families contribute labor and pay affordable mortgages. The organization also operates a Critical Home Repair program for seniors and qualifying homeowners and runs two Habitat Stores in Olympia and Yelm that sell donated furniture and building materials.

Product overview

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit affordable housing organization that operates as a collection of interconnected programs rather than a unified software platform. The core offerings include the Homeownership Program (building new affordable homes through volunteer labor and sweat equity), the Critical Home Repair Program (assisting existing homeowners with health/safety repairs), and the Habitat Store retail operations. Supporting programs include volunteer initiatives such as Women Build, Veterans Build, Pride Build, and the Habitat Gala fundraiser. The organization develops housing communities including Tâlícn (28 homes in Tumwater), the 3900 Boulevard Development (112 homes in Olympia), and Mill Crossing (in Yelm). Additional offerings include donation programs, AmeriCorps service opportunities, and advocacy efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Homeownership Program Builds affordable homes for families in need who partner with the organization through sweat equity and affordable mortgages; available in Tumwater, Olympia, Lacey, and Yelm.
• Critical Home Repair Program Assists senior and qualifying homeowners with critical home repairs addressing health and safety issues, helping them age in place and maintain safe housing; examples include electrical panel replacement, rewiring, water storage, sheet rock replacement, flooring, and ceiling re-texturing.
• Habitat Store (Olympia and Yelm) Two retail stores selling donated furniture, building materials, and home goods, with proceeds supporting the organization's affordable housing mission.
• Tâlíčn Development 28-home development in Tumwater featuring 3- and 4-bedroom townhomes built in partnership with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard.
• 3900 Boulevard Development Planned housing development in Olympia bringing approximately 100-110 units of affordable owner-occupied housing, including townhomes and senior cottages with a neighborhood center.
• Mill Crossing Housing development in Yelm, Washington, operating alongside the Tâlíčn development as part of the organization's active build pipeline.
• Women Build Annual volunteer event mobilizing women to build homes and raise funds for affordable homeownership, with up to 128 volunteers building at Tâlíčn and Mill Crossing.
• Veterans Build Program dedicated to building affordable homes for military veterans and their families, supporting access to affordable homeownership and housing stability.
• Pride Build Volunteer building program engaging the LGBTQ+ community in constructing affordable homes for partner families.
• Habitat Gala Annual fundraising gala supporting affordable homeownership initiatives, with over 300 guests, corporate sponsors, and auction items.
• Donations and Planned Giving Accepts financial donations, car donations, and planned giving arrangements (including the Builders Circle planned giving program) to support affordable housing construction.
• AmeriCorps Program National service initiative hosting AmeriCorps members for 10.5 to 12-month terms to support homebuilding efforts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 83 homes built since 1989, housing 134 adults and 112 children
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Cowlitz Indian TribeflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 March 2022The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is partnering as Neighborhood Sponsor for the Tâlíčn development, making a $100,000 donation to the 28-home townhome project in Tumwater. The community name Tâlíčn means 'to help' in the Lower Cowlitz Coast Salish language. The tribe is helping address affordable housing while honoring the history of the land.
• Habitat for Humanity InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Puget Sound Habitat is an affiliated chapter of Habitat for Humanity, receiving support, resources, and sharing in the global mission. The organization also tithes a percentage of unrestricted contributions to support Habitat's international development programs, including Habitat Haiti.
• Puget Sound Energy (PSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSE provided a Solar Grant enabling the installation of solar panels on the Yelm Habitat Store, representing a significant step in renewable energy adoption and environmental stewardship. The project reduces energy costs and offsets electricity consumption.
• Saint Martin's UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarcus Pavilion at Saint Martin's University hosted the first annual Habitat Gala, providing venue support for the event.
• KING 5 Evening (Chris Cashman)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKING 5 Evening host Chris Cashman served as emcee for the Habitat Gala, providing media support and visibility.
• City of OlympiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected South Puget Sound Habitat as preferred development partner for the 3900 Boulevard Road property. City issued Solicitation of Interest and selected Habitat based on priorities of housing affordability, homeownership opportunities, and neighborhood center inclusion.
• City of TumwatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Tumwater is a funding partner on the Tâlíčn development project, supporting infrastructure and affordable housing goals.
• The Barn NurseryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLoaned cargo truck filled with lush mature greenery for Habitat Gala décor.
• Eastside Urban Farm & Garden CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLoaned cargo truck filled with lush mature greenery for Habitat Gala décor.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Habitat for Humanity Spokane: Washington State Habitat affiliate serving Spokane with the same Affordable homeownership, critical repair, and ReStore model; another peer receiving a share of the MacKenzie Scott Pacific Northwest gift.
• Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County: Direct affiliate peer operating in adjacent King County on the same Habitat model - homeownership sweat-equity construction, critical repair, and Habitat Stores - making it the closest comparable for South Puget Sound's operations, fundraising approach, and Evergreen Sustainable Development adoption.
• Habitat for Humanity Portland Region: Oregon-sibling Habitat affiliate operating a similar build-for-sale affordable homeownership and ReStore retail model; comparable in scale, structure, and reliance on volunteer labor and corporate sponsorships.
• Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity: Adjacent Washington State Habitat affiliate serving Pierce County with the same homeownership, repair, and volunteer-build model; competes for similar state/corporate grant dollars and benefits from the same Scott-gift regional allocation.
• Habitat for Humanity Clallam County: Another Washington State Habitat affiliate specifically named in the MacKenzie Scott $15M regional allocation alongside South Puget Sound; closely comparable in size, scope and geography.

Regional players

• Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley: Large California Habitat affiliate; useful peer for understanding how affiliates scale multi-site affordable communities and run large Habitat Store operations, though in a different state regulatory environment.

Broad incumbents

• Mercy Housing Northwest: Large national nonprofit affordable housing developer (Mercy Housing Inc.) with Northwest operations; comparable in serving 30-80% AMI residents but primarily through rental rather than for-sale homeownership.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Parent brand and global umbrella of the affiliate network - relevant for understanding shared brand value, governance, and tithing obligations of South Puget Sound Habitat as an affiliate chapter.

Emerging players

• Low-Income Housing Institute (LIHI): Pacific Northwest nonprofit affordable housing developer operating tiny-shelter villages and rental housing; comparable mission but rental-focused model, providing contrast on homeownership vs. rental strategy.

Others

• Capitol Land Trust: Thurston County-based nonprofit focused on land conservation that overlaps in service area and occasionally coordinates with Habitat on preserving affordability and stewardship of land underlying or near Habitat developments like Tâlíčn.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/spshabitat
• Instagraminstagram.com/spshabitat
• Xx.com/spshabitat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Habitat for Humanity South Puget Sound